Production of aromatic polyketones

ABSTRACT

A process for the production of a thermoplastic aromatic polyketone which process comprises reacting in the presence of a fluoroalkane sulphonic acid, preferably CF 3  SO 2  OH, the reactants selected from the following class: 
     (a) at least one aromatic monocarboxylic acid of the formula: ##STR1##  where --Y-- is a direct link, --O--, --S--, --NAr&#39;-- where Ar&#39; is a monovalent aromatic radical (preferably phenyl); Ar is a divalent aromatic radical but must not be --Ph--CO--Ph-- or --Ph--SO 2  --Ph-- (where --Ph-- is phenylene) when y is 1; and n is an integer of ≧1 and y is an integer of 1 to 3; 
     (b) a mixture of at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid of the formula: ##STR2##  where --X-- and --X&#39;-- are independently a direct link --O--, --S--, --NAr&#39;-- where Ar&#39; is as defined in (a); m is 0 or an integer of ≧1; and Ar is as defined in (a); and at least one aromatic compound of formula: ##STR3##  where --Z-- is --O-- or a direct link; and Ar, n, and y are as defined in (a); and 
     (c) a combination of (a) and (b). 
     The aromatic carboxylic acid is particular 4-(4-phenoxy)phenoxy benzoic acid which yield an aromatic polyketherketone having repeat units of the formula ##STR4##



